Contributors to the COVIDContinuity website are known as Champions, as they provide their leadership, insight, and resources to assist other business owners in these challenging times. We will be featuring these Champions on our blog.
Shay Bachelet
Director, Marketing and Communications, Business Link
How have you adapted your leadership style through the crisis?
It has always been important, but through this crisis, I have made my leadership approach even more people-centred. My team has really stepped up and been incredibly flexible and adaptable over the last few months. I try to ensure that I am as transparent as possible, that there are clear lines of communication, and that I check in with everyone often.
Describe a tough decision you’ve had to make since the pandemic started.
A large part of what we do as a marketing and communications team is hosting in-person events and workshops. COVID threw a colossal wrench in our 2020-21 events plans and so we had to make significant adjustments to our plans quickly, particularly when it came to people’s responsibilities. After brainstorming with my team, we made some changes to roles. There were some challenges along the way but I feel like we now have a system in place that works for everyone and fits well with individual strengths.
How are you feeling?
I feel good. There are days when I’m really tired – we’ve seen a drastic increase in the number of inquiries we are receiving from small business owners and entrepreneurs in Alberta. We’ve have had to make a lot of adjustments and changes to the way we deliver services and information in the last few months. But overall I am grateful that I have a job to go to every day, that we were set up to work from home as soon as the pandemic hit Alberta, I am grateful that I work with a team that is passionate about what they do, willing to support each other, and that truly cares.
Find resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses and learn more about Business Link.
CommAlert’s Tim Carwell is a co-founder of COVIDContinuity.com. This website provides current and useful information, resources, and support to business owners and non-profits as we’ve navigated through the public health emergency. It is all available all for free. The CommAlert Group continues to support this movement and strongly believes that mutual aid is essential for organizations to survive and thrive during crisis.
